Display device



April 17, 1934. 3 GlLL AL 1,955,674

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed June 11, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l April 17, 1934. s.c. GILL ET AL DISPLAY DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11. 1932 April17, 1934.

s. c. GILL ET AL ,955,674

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed June 11, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 17, 1-934. s.vc. GILL El AL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed June 11, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Patented Apr. 17, 1934 DISPLAY DEVICE Sydney Charles Gill and SydneyDallaway, London, England Application June 11, 1932, Serial No. 616,728

In Great Britain 11 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved display device embodying theillusion known as Peppers Ghost, and has for its object to provide anarticle which shall be readily portable, adaptable to a variety ofdifferent displays and economical both in operation and manufacture.

According to the present invention, a substantially transparent screen,suitably inclined with relation to the observer, is associated withcabinet or similar containing means, in which two objects or series ofobjects are housed in such manner that they are only visible to theobserver through the medium of the aforesaid screen, each object or oneobject of each series being illuminated alternately by lighting means.

In a simple and readily portable form of construction, the transparentsheet is adapted to be contained within a collapsible cabinet, on top ofwhich is attached a mechanical unit comprising lighting and obturatingmeans whereby two positions in the cabinet (at which will be stationedthe objects for display) are alternately illuminated.

The two units comprising the collapsible cabinet and the mechanical headunit may conveniently be adapted to pack into a suitable partitionedcase. I

In a further form according to the invention, a magazine machine may beconstructed having a magazine or magazines so disposed relative to atransparent screen, that instead of two objects only, a succession ofobjects may be alternatively presented.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a part sectional side elevation of a simpleconstructional form according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan view corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a part sectional side elevation of a slightly moreelaborate form than that previously shown.

Figure 4 shows a plan according to Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows details of the obturator sleeve.

Figure 6 shows a magazine type machine in sectional elevation.

Figure '7 shows a sectional plan corresponding to Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows details of the magazine movement.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a transparent screen 1 is mounted inan inclined position in a collapsible casing 2 which is fitted with afront February 20, 1932 display board 3 having a viewing aperture 4formed therein. A platform member 5 and the transparent screen 1 arehinged together, and to the casing 2 at the lower line 6, an additionalplatform 7 is hinged to the back of the casing 2 as shown. As a resultof this hinging together of the members a collapsible unit is obtained.In a casing 8 is mounted an electric bulb 9, Whilst in the bottom of thecasing is provided an obturator disc 10, carried by a pivot 11, securedto the bottom of the casing 8. The obturator disc 10 as shown in chaindotted lines in Figure 2, has a semicircular aperture 12 and blades 13in annular formation round its outer edge. Apertures 1e and 15 in thebottom of the casing 8 serve both for the passage of light rays and toadmit air to the casing 8, which latter escapes through the roof of thecasing at 8. In use two objects for display are mounted respectivelyupon the platforms 7 and 5,whilst air passing upwardly through thecasing 8 causes the obturator disc 10 to rotate, thus causing the lamp 9to illuminate alternately the platforms '7 and 5 situated on oppositesides of the transparent screen 1.

Figures 3 and 4 show a more elaborate construction than that previouslydescribed. The lamp 9 is in this case fitted within an oscillatingobturator cylinder 16, which is shown in detail in Figure 5.

A blade wheel 17 driven by hot air currents passing from the lamp 9 isprovided with pins 18 which engage with a gear wheel 19 connected by arod 20 to the pivoted rod 21. The rod 21 has a fork end 22 which engageswith an arm 23 attached to a spindle 24 which carries the obturator 16.To one end of the spindle 24 is also secured one end of a frame 25carrying a curtain 26, the other end of the frame being pivotallyconnected to the lamp casing 8 and 25. Adjustable balance weights 27, 28and 29 are provided on the frame 25, arm 23 and rod 21, so that theminimum power is necessary to drive the mechanism.

On rotation the blade wheel 17 causes the gear wheel 19 to drive theconnecting rod 20 which in turn through the rod 21 rocks spindle 24,thus raising and lowering the curtain 26 and rocking the obturator 16 soas to illuminate the spaces on opposite sides of the transparent screen1, through apertures 30 and 31 in an internal casing 32 which surroundsthe obturator 1.

In this form of construction the objects for display are located in thesame manner as in the previous example, the chief diiference between thetwo forms being the provision of the black curtain 26 which serves toobscure the display object located behind the screen 11 when the otherdisplay object is being seen by reflection.

With reference now to Figures 6 and 7, in this case a vertical magazinecontaining three different display objects is arranged to be presentedthrough the transparent screen 1. The magazine consists as shown dottedin Figure 8 of a rotary platform 33 divided by vertical arcuatepartitions 34, 35 and 36. The platform 33 is mounted coaxially with aspindle 37 carrying a cam 38 and driven by a motor device 39.

Vertical shutters 40 and 41 serve to obscure the vertical objects uponthe platform 33, and horizontal shutters 42 and 43serve to obscure thehorizontal object. The shutters 40 and 41 are mounted as shown at theends of pairs of parallel rods 44, 45 and 46, 47 of which the other endsare pivotally mounted at fixed points for imparting a parallel movementto the shutters. A roller 50 mounted on a lever 66 is pressed againstthe cam 38 by the action of the spring 65 pulling on the lever 66. Theroller 50 is also connected by link rods 48 and 49 to the rods 45 and 46for the purpose of causing the shutters 46 and 41 to open and close inaccordance with the cam contour. The shutters 41 and 40 are operativelyconnected with the shutters 42 and 43 respectively by bars 42 and 43 sothat as the vertical shutters close the horizontal ones open and viceversa.

A horizontal display object is positioned beneath an aperture 51 and isilluminated by a lamp 52 while a vertical object is illuminated by alamp 53. Shutter extensions 54 are provided upon the vertical shutters40, 41 to cut off light from the lamp 52 when the horizontal object isbeing presented, while extension shutters 55 and 56 are provided uponthe horizontal shutters 42 and 43 to shut off the light from lamp 52.

Rods 57 and 58 are provided as shown to support the weight of thehorizontal shutter 42, 43. These rods are of the same length as the rods44 and 47 and as they are parallel to the latter they will remain so inall positions. For the purpose of imparting an intermittent rotarymovement to the magazine, the mechanism shown in plan in Figure 8 and inelevation in Figure 6 is provided. This mechanism consists of astationary cam surface 59, fixed to the casing, with which engages aroller 60 carried upon an arm 61, pressed outward by a spring 62,disposed between the arm 61 and a further arm 63, to which the arm 61 ishinged and which is mounted upon the spindle 3'7. Regularly spaced stops64 are provided under the rotary platform 33. These stops are adapted tobe engaged by a pin 65 mounted upon the roller 66, where this roller isbrought into engagement with the cam surface of larger diameter andreleased when the roller leaves this surface.

The action of the complete mechanism will now be readily understood. Thevertical and horizontal shutters open and close respectivelysimultaneously, thus presenting the horizontal display objectalternately with one of the vertical display objects, which will bechanged during the intermittent rotation of the platform 33. As will beseen any suitable number of vertical objects may be disposed on theplatform according to the construction of the cam surface 59 and thenumber of stops 64.

It will be understood that instead of surrounding the transparent screenby a casing as shown in Figure 6, this casing may be omitted and thescreen 1, which may preferably be made shorter, may be incorporated inan ornamental awning.

What we claim is:-

l. A display device comprising a transparent screen arranged in aninclined position, a source of light for illuminating the space belowsaid screen, a source of light behind said screen, shutter mechanism foralternately shutting oif the light from said sources of light so thatonly one of said sources of light illuminates the screen at one time,said shutter mechanism including two pairs of shutter members, a timingdevice, link mechanism connecting the shutter members to said timingdevice whereby said members are caused to open and close and to remainin a position of rest for a predetermined period of time, shuttermechanism behind said screen, said shutter mechanism being operativelyconnected to the shutter mechanism for the light source behind thescreen so as to move therewith, and a motor for driving said timingdevice.

2. A display device comprising a transparent screen arranged in aninclined position, a source of light for illuminating the space belowsaid screen, a source of light behind said screen, shutter mechanism foralternately shutting 01f the light from said sources of light so thatonly one of said sources of light illuminates the screen at one time,said shutter mechanism including two pairs of shutter members, a timingdevice said timing device including a cam surface, lever mechanism, aroller carried by said lever mechanism engaging said cam, a springincluded in said lever mechanism and normally holding said roller inengagement with said cam, and stops carried by the first mentionedshutter mechanism, said cam being so arranged that the roller byengaging therewith is periodically brought into and out of engagementwith said stops, link mechanism connecting the shutter members to saidtiming device whereby said members are caused to open and close and toremain in a position of rest for a predetermined period of time, shuttermechanism behind said screen, said shutter mechanism being operativelyconnected to the shutter mechanism for the light source behind thescreen so as to move therewith, and a motor for driving said timingdevice.

3. A display device comprising a transparent inclined screen, a sourceof light for illuminating the space in front of said screen, a secondsource of light for illuminating the space behind said screen, shuttermechanism for alternately shutting ofi the light from said sources oflight so that only one of said sources of light illuminates the screenat one time, said shutter mechanism including two pairs of shuttermembers, one pair being associated with each source of light, a timingdevice, links connecting the separate shutter members together and tosaid timing device, said timing device controlling the opening andclosing movements of said shutters, and further shutter mechanism behindsaid screen, said further shutter mechanism being operatively connectedto the shutter members for the source of light behind said screen so asto move in synchronism therewith.

4. A display device comprising a transparent screen arranged in aninclined position, a source of light for illuminating the space belowsaid screen, a source of light behind said screen, shutter mechanism foralternately shutting off the light from said sources of light so thatonly one of said sources of light illuminates the screen at one time,said shutter mechanism including two pairs of shutter members, a timingdevice, said timing device including a cam, a spring actuated lever, aroller carried by said lever and engaging said cam, and links connectedtosaid roller and to said link mechanism, link mechanism connecting theshutter members to said timing device whereby said members are caused toopen and close and to remain in a position of rest for a predeterminedperiod of time, shutter mechanism behind said screen, said shuttermechanism being operatively connected to the shutter mechanism for thelight source behind the screen so as to move therewith and a motor fordriving said timing device.

5. A display device comprising a transparent inclined screen, a sourceof light for illuminating the space in front of said screen, a secondsource of light for illuminating the space behind said screen, shuttermechanism for alternately shutting off the light from said sources oflight so that only one of said sources of light fully illuminates thescreen at one time, said shutter mechanism including two pairs ofshutter members, one pair being associated with each source of light, atiming device, links connecting the separate shutter members togetherand to said timing device, said timing device controlling the openingand closing movements of said shutters, and further shutter mechanismbehind said screen, said further shutter mechanism being operativelyconnected to the shutter members for the source of light behind saidscreen so as to move in synchronism therewith, a platform associatedwith said timing device, said platform being divided into separatesections each of which is adapted to receive an object to be exhibited,the arrangement being such that whilst both the shutter mechanismsbehind the screen are closed the platform is rotated through apredetermined amount.

6. A display device comprising a transparent screen arranged in aninclined position, a source of light for illuminating the space belowsaid screen, a source of light behind said screen, shutter mechanism foralternately shutting off the light from said sources of light so thatonly one of said sources of light fully illuminates the screen at onetime, said shutter mechanism including two pairs of shutter members, atiming device, link mechanism connecting the shutter members moving indifferent planes to said timing device whereby said members are causedto open and close and to remain in a position of rest for apredetermined period of time, said link mechanism being so arranged thatwhen one pair of shutter members move apart the other pair of shuttermembers move towards one another so as to close shutter mechanism behindsaid screen, said shutter mechanism being operatively connected to theshutter mechanism for the light source behind the screen so as to movetherewith, and a motor for driving said timing device.

7. A display device comprising a transparent inclined screen, a sourceof light for illuminating the space in front of said screen, a secondsource of light for illuminating the space behind said screen, shuttermechanism for alternately shutting oil" the light from said sources oflight so that only one of said sources of light fully illuminates thescreen at one time, said shutter mechanism including two pairs ofshutter members, one pair being associated with each source of light, atiming device, links connecting the separate shutter members togetherand to said timing device, said timing device controlling the openingand closing movements of said shutters, and further shutter mechanismbehind said screen, said further shutter mechanism being operativelyconnected to the shutter members for the source of light behind saidscreen so as to move in synchronism therewith, and additional shuttermechanism positively connected to the shutter mechanism for illuminatingthe space in front of said screen.

8. A display device comprising a transparent inclined screen, a sourceof light for illuminating the space in front of said screen, a secondsource of light for illuminating the space behind said screen, shuttermechanism for alternately 90 shutting off the light from said sources oflight so that only one of said sources of light fully illuminates thescreen at one time, said shutter mechanism including two pairs ofshutter members, one pair being associated with each source of light, atiming device, links connecting the saparate shutter members togetherand to said timing device, said timing device controlling the openingand closing movements of said shutters, and further shutter mechanismbehind said 10 screen, said further shutter mechanism being operativelyconnected to the shutter members for the source of light behind saidscreen so as to move in synchronism therewith, and additional shuttermechanism positively connected to the 1 5 shutter mechanism forilluminating the space in front of said screen, and a casing enclosingthe whole of said mechanism, said casing having an aperture thereinthrough which the screen can be viewed.

9. A display device comprising a transparent inclined screen, a sourceof light for illuminating the space in front of said screen, a secondsource of light for illuminating the space behind said screen, shuttermechanism for alternately shutting off the light from said sources oflight so that only one of said sources of light fully illuminates thescreen at one time, said shutter mechanism including two pairs ofshutter members, one pair being associated with each source 120 oflight, a timing device, links connecting the separate shutter memberstogether and to said timing device, said timing device controlling theopening and closing movements of said shutters, and further shuttermechanism behind said 125 screen, said further shutter mechanism beingop eratively connected to the shutter members for the source of lightbehind said screen so as to move in synchronism therewith, andadditional shutter mechanism positively connected to the shuttermechanism for illuminating the space in front of said screen, and acasing enclosing the whole of said mechanism, said mechanism beingsubstantially of L-shape, and having the screen forming a portion of thefront wall of the substantially vertical part thereof.

10. A display device comprising a transparent screen arranged in aninclined position, a source of light for illuminating the space belowsaid screen, shutter mechanism for alternately shutting off and exposingthe light from. said source of light, said shutter mechanism including apair of shutter members, a timing device, link mechanism connecting theshutter members to said timing device whereby said members are caused145 to open and close and to remain in a position of rest for apredetermined period of time, and a motor for driving said timingdevice.

11. A display device comprising a transparent inclined screen, a sourceof light for illuminat- 150 nected to said timing device, a platformassociated with said timing device, said platform being divided intoseparate sections each of which is adapted to receive an object to beexhibited, the arrangement being such that Whilst the, shutter mechanismis closed the platform is rotated through a predetermined amount.

SYDNEY CHARLES GILL. SYDNEY DALLAWAY.

